If someone should ask you the meaning of true happiness, what would you say? Many would response that happiness is having wealth and being able to afford many things like a fancy car, nice big roomy house, the ability to travel, and having prestige among your peers. Do these items really make you happy?
Many would reply that having good health, a loving family, creative and physical ability is the source of true happiness. All of this is well and good but is it the source of true happiness?
Does having material possessions make you happy? Many of us will answer they sometimes help us feel good and have a good time. It makes us look happy among our neighbors and friends but can it give us that deep contentment of really knowing that our lives are great? Do we feel good about the direction our life is headed? Are we really happy knowing that someday we will return to the earth with nothing and that all of the things we worked so hard to get will belong to someone else?
Please understand that I am not saying that material possessions are wrong. There is absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying your fruits of life that you have worked hard for as long as you don’t put down others due to your success.
Most of the time for us happiness so often seems to be elusive because we are looking for it in all the wrong places. Many times when we think we have found happiness then we find out that it is artificial and only temporary.
There is only one way to find true happiness and that is from the true God that created us. The Bible, His Word, is the guideline for fulfillment, contentment, and happiness. Reading it and abiding by its commandments and rules are the only way that we can have peace of mind. Trusting in the knowledge of God, abiding by His laws, and trusting in His Wisdom are the only true source of happiness.
Most of us look for that temporary rush to happiness through our morality, whether good or bad, carefree lifestyles, which allow us to feel and look good for the moment, and seeking fulfillment through alcohol, drugs, or other methods that affect our mind. These wear off and that rushed feeling of contentment and happiness is gone and we are left with nothing.
When we live for Christ and discipline our personalities and interest by His law, we gain true happiness. Philippians 4:13 tells us, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
Friends, true happiness is when we ask Jesus into our heart and then live and act according to His laws. Are you a truly happy person? If not then go to your knees today and ask God to come into your heart and life and follow Him.
